Lightweight, disassemblable and interchangable protective headgear for wrestlers

Abstract

This invention relates to a protective headgear for use by wrestlers and other athletes who require protective covers for their ears during practice and contests. The headgear provides shock absorbency and protection for the ears and forehead in an easily adjustable and comfortable device that is also disassemblable and interchangeable for ease of repair.

1. A lightweight disassemblable and interchangeable protective headgear for wrestling comprising,
 a left side ear protector, 
 a right side ear protector, and 
 a plurality of adjustable straps, 
 forming a wearable assembly, wherein each ear protector comprises an outer cage structure, an inner perforated dome structure, and a peripheral resilient pad, 
 said outer cage structure comprises a peripheral flange defining a central space and a plurality of bars extending in a substantially arcuate manner over said central space, said flange including means to receive said adjustable straps, 
 said flange further having an inner surface and an outer surface, said bars extending arcuately upward and across said central space from said outer surface, thereby forming a substantially arcuate cage over said central space, 
 said inner perforated dome structure comprises a peripheral flange defining a central space substantially corresponding to said central space of said outer cage structure and having an inner surface and an outer surface, a cup shaped center portion extending over said central space having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, said cup shaped center portion having a plurality of perforations therein and being receivable within said arcuate cage of said outer cage structure, 
 wherein said cup shaped center portion comprises a plurality of arcuate ribs spaced relative to each other and an intermediate web therebetween, 
 said ear protectors adapted to fit over a wearer's ear whereby said dome structure fits over and receives the wearer's outer ear, said outer cage and said inner dome structures provide shock and blow protection for the wearer's ear and said resilient pad provides cushioning between said ear protectors and the wearer's head. 
 
     
     
       2. The protective headgear of  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate web is perforated with regularly spaced openings. 
     
     
       3. The protective headgear of  claim 2 , wherein said flange of said outer cage structure is provided with a circumferential recess in said inner surface about said central space, said recess corresponding in size and shape to said flange of said inner perforated dome structure, whereby said recess is adapted to receive said flange of said inner perforated dome structure when said dome structure is combined with said cage structure to form said ear protector. 
     
     
       4. The protective headgear of  claim 3  wherein said recess has a depth corresponding to the thickness of said flange of said dome structure, whereby said inner surface of said cage structure flange and said inner surface of said dome structure flange are flush when said cage structure and said dome structure are assembled. 
     
     
       5. The protective headgear of  claim 4  further comprising releasable cooperating fastening means on said cage structure and said dome structure whereby said cage structure and said dome structure are releasably held together in registration when assembled to form said ear protector. 
     
     
       6. The protective headgear of  claim 5  further comprising means on said flange of said dome structure to receive said adjustable straps and cooperating with similar means on said cage structure flange. 
     
     
       7. The protective headgear of  claim 6 , wherein said peripheral resilient pad comprises a layer of foam substantially corresponding to said flange of said outer cage structure and positioned over said inner surface of said flange whereby said pad is disposed between said ear protector and a wearer's head when said headgear is worn. 
     
     
       8. The protective headgear of  claim 7  further comprising means on said pad to receive said adjustable straps and cooperating with similar means on said cage structure flange. 
     
     
       9. The protective headgear of  claim 8  wherein said pad is a molded foam and has an upward extending bead around its outer periphery, said bead adapted to receive and cushion the outer peripheral edge of said cage structure flange when said cage structure, said dome structure and said pad are assembled to form said ear protector. 
     
     
       10. A lightweight, disassemblable and interchangeable protective wrestling earguard assembly comprising a pair of matching ear guards, each ear guard comprising;
 a semirigid outer cage structure comprising a peripheral flange defining a central space and having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of bars extending from said outer surface arcuately upward and over said central space forming a substantially cup shaped cage, and means on said flange to receive a plurality of adjustable straps, 
 a semi-rigid inner dome structure comprising a peripheral flange defining a central space substantially corresponding to said central space of said cage structure and adapted to cooperate with said peripheral flange of said cage structure, a cup shaped center portion extending over said central space and comprising a plurality of spaced ribs connected by an intermediate web, said cup shaped center portion being receivable within said cup shaped cage, and 
 a resilient foam pad substantially corresponding to said flange of said outer cage structure and positionable over said inner surface of said flange of said outer cage structure so as to be disposed between said flange and a wearer's head, 
 releasable registration and fastening means between said cage structure and said dome structure whereby said ear guards are capable of being assembled and disassembled, 
 a recess in the inner surface of said outer cage flange corresponding to and adapted to receive said dome structure flange, said releasable registration and fastening means being located within said recess, 
 whereby said inner dome structure fits within said outer cage structure and said resilient foam pad fits over said flange to form said ear guard whereby said cup shaped center portion of said inner dome structure receives the outer ear of a wearer when said ear guard is placed thereover and said outer cage structure and said inner dome structure cooperate to provide protection for said ear against shock and direct blows. 
 
     
     
       11. The protective wrestling earguard of  claim 10  wherein said resilient foam pad further comprises means to receive and cushion the outer peripheral edge of said outer cage flange. 
     
     
       12. The protective wrestling earguard of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of strap attaching means on said ear guards and plurality of adjustable straps connected between corresponding strap attaching means on each ear guard to form an adjustable wearable assembly for placement on a wrestler's head whereby said ear guards fit over and receive the wrestler's outer ears. 
     
     
       13. The protective wrestling earguard of  claim 12 , wherein said outer cage structure is molded of a material. having a first resilience and said inner dome structure is molded of a material having a second resilience, said second resilience being stiffer than said first resilience.